Fire Death in Casey Being Investigated as Homicide; Remains Recovered in Separate Incident

Published on January 16 2014 1:11 pm
Last Updated on January 16 2014 1:11 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The death of a Casey man whose body was found in his burning house is being investigated as a homicide.

The discovery of human remains at another location in Casey is being treated by police as an unrelated incident.

Both incidents occurred on Wednesday.

Casey firefighters were called to the home of 54-year-old Gregory S. Collins at 12:28am Wednesday when the fire was spotted. Collins' body was found inside the home located on the southeast side of Casey.

Illinois State Police are overseeing an investigation of the incident. Police are offering no other comments other than to say the investigation is ongoing.

While investigators were in Casey, a surveying crew found human remains in an open area across from Pizza Hut on the north edge of town. The crew found the remains about 1:30pm.

Police don't believe there is any connection between the house fire and the remains. No one was commenting on the remains although it was confirmed that it didn't appear to have been a recent death.